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Volume 39, Issue 2, 2025

Online ISSN: 3042-3511

ISSN: 3042-3503

Volume 39 , Issue 2, (2025)

Published: 12.11.2025.

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01.04.2018.

Special Session: Residents Session

Early changes in the neurogenesis in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus in 5xFAD transgenic mice model of Alzheimer s disease

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Sox1 and Sox2 transcriptional factors in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus in 8 weeks old 5xFAD mice. Introduction: Transgenic 5xFAD mice represent a model of Alzheimer s disease (AD) characterized by an early deposition of amyloid plaques which disrupt the process of adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Certain transcriptional factors such as SoxB1 transcriptional factors are involved in the process of adult neurogenesis, but their roles in neurodegenerative disorders are not fully understood. Material and Methods: Transgenic mice of both genders and their respective non-transgenic controls (n=6 per group) were used in the study. Proliferating cells and immature neurons were detected by their immunohistochemical expression of Ki67 and doublecortin, while neuronal stem/precursor cells were identified by the expression of Sox1 and Sox2 proteins. Immunohistochemistry and counting were performed on hippocampal paraffin sections. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis showed that 5xFAD mice in the SGZ of the hippocampus have significantly lower numbers of Sox1 immunoreactive cells, while Sox2 immunoreactive cells were lower only in female 5xFAD mice. Furthermore, we have detected a decrease in the number of newly formed neurons in male transgenic mice, while the number of proliferating cells was unchanged when compared to non-transgenic controls. Conclusion: The results of our study show that early changes in the neurogenesis in 5xFAD model occur despite the preserved proliferative potential in the SGZ. Our results clearly indicate the importance of SoxB1 transcriptional factors in the early phases of AD.

Ivan Zaletel, Milka Perovic, Mirna Jovanovic, Marija Schwirtlich, Milena Stevanovic, Selma Kanazir, Nela Puskas

01.04.2018.

Special Session: Residents Session

Flow cytometry: a solution in diagnosis of life threatening pediatric NonHodgkin lymphomas

Aim: Evaluation of the usefulness of flow cytometry (FCM) serous effusion analysis in a diagnosis of pediatric Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). Introduction: Serous effusions are often the first, life-threatening manifestation of pediatric NHL. FCM immunophenotyping of effusions with cytological analysis could help in diagnosis of NHL, and thus enable fast initiating of cytoreductive therapy. Material and Methods: FCM analysis of serous effusions obtained from 17 children and adolescents hospitalized in Mother and Child Healthcare Institute of Serbia under clinical suspicion of NHL using the standardized panel of monoclonal antibodies: CD19, iCD79a, CD20, CD10, iIgM, kappa/lambda, iCD3, sCD3, CD7, CD2, CD5, CD4, CD8, CD1a. Cytological examination was performed on May-Grunwald-Giemsa stained slides. The results were correlated with histopathological findings of available tumor biopsies. Results: Precursor T-cell (T-III/T-IV) phenotype was confirmed in 5 samples. In 7/9 samples with mature B (B-IV) phenotype, FAB L3 cytomorphology indicated Burkitt lymphoma (BL), and in 2/8 suggested diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Tumor biopsy was available in 7/14 patients and in all cases preliminary diagnosis was confirmed. In 3 patients with no malignant cells in effusions, FCM and cytomorphologicaly only reactive changes were observed, and diagnosis had to be made by tumor biopsy (BL 2 patients, DLBCL 1 patient). Out of 7 patients diagnosed only by FCM and cytological analysis, 6 achieved a remission of the illness. Conclusion: FCM detects NHL cells in malignant serous effusions fast and accurate. In combination with cytological analysis, FCM is sufficient for diagnosis in most cases, allowing rapid initiation of therapy.

Nemanja Mitrovic, Gordana Samardzija, Slavisa Djuricic, Tatjana Terzic, Milos Kuzmanovic, Dragomir Djokic, Bojana Slavkovic

01.04.2018.

Poster session

Significance of local and systemic expression of Survivin in patients with melanoma

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of local tumor survivin expression and serum concentration with clinical and histopathological parameters in melanoma patients. Introduction: Survivin is a multifunctional protein abundantly expressed in tumors of various types, including melanoma. There are still sparse data regarding relationship of melanoma cell survivin expression with accepted histopathological characteristics as well as serum concentration. Material and Methods: The level of survivin expression was determined immunohistochemically in tumor tissue and with ELISA test in the serum of 84 melanoma patients with melanoma. Results: Survivin expression was significantly higher in the patients whose tumor had ulceration, higher mitotic index, higher Clark and Breslow stage, that made vascular invasion or spread through lymphatic vessels in primary tumor, and in the patients with metastatic disease. The patients with high survivin expression score had almost double shorter disease free interval DFI comparing to those with weak local survivin expression and a small number of survivin cells (9 - 7 vs 19 - 13 months, respectively). The degree of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes presence in tumor tissue was significantly inversely associated with serum survivin concentration. Conclusion: Conclusion Survivin expression in tumor tissue and its serum concetration significantly correlate with clinical and histopathological parameters. Serum levels could be important in initial follow-up as indicators of those patients that would have aggressive local tumor growth and spreading.

Milena Jovic, Snezana Cerovic, Lidija Zolotarevska, Milomir Gacevic, Danilo Vojvodic

01.04.2018.

Poster session

Prognostic significance of Ezh2 expression in superficial urothelial bladder cancer

Aim: The aim of this research is to analyze the profile of Ezh2 expression in superficial urothelial bladder cancer, to investigate its correlation with clinicopathological parameters, as well as to determine the prognostic significance of Ezh2. Introduction: Superficial urothelial bladder cancer, without invasion of muscle layer, is associated with frequent recurrence, and represents significant burden for health care system. Ezh2 is epigenetic regulator with a major role in urothelial oncogenesis. Clinical investigations of Ezh2 inhibitors in treatment of solid cancers have already given encouraging results. Materials and Methods: Tumor samples from 410 patients with superficial bladder cancer (172 pTa, 238 pT1), obtained by transurethral resection, were incorporated in tissue microarrays, and analyzed immunohistochemically to Ezh2 expression. Correlation analysis with clinicopathological parameters was performed using SPSS 18.0. Results: High nuclear expression was found in 33.4% tumors, and it was significantly more frequent in pT1 (46.6%), compared to pTa tumors (15.1%) (p<0.001). Ezh2 expression was associated with high histologic grade, presence of carcinoma in situ, and cancer specific death (p<0.001, respectively). In Kaplan-Mayer survival analysis high Ezh2 expression was significantly associated with poor prognosis and shorter patients survival (p<0.001). There was no significant correlation between Ezh2 and recurrence of the disease, and recurrence free interval (p<0.05). Conclusion: Immunohistochemical expression of transcription repressor Ezh2 in superficial urothelial bladder cancer indicates aggressive behavior of the tumor, and poor prognosis. Ezh2 could be used as pronostic marker in selection of the patients that might require more intense clinical treatment, and as potential target of anticancer therapy.

Slavica Stojnev, Miljan Krstic, Ana Ristic-Petrovic, Irena Conic, Ana Ristic, Ljubinka Jankovic Velickovic

01.04.2018.

Poster session

Extrapleural solitary fibrous tumor of the neck: A Case Report

Aim: Immunohistochemistry findings along with clinical features, are significantly important in differentiating the Extrapleural SFT in the neck, from other well-circumscribed mesenchymal neoplasms at this locations. Introduction: We present a rare case of a Extrapleural SFT in a 57 years old man in the neck, without significant past medical history. Material and Methods: The patient had a painless slow growing tumor, in right sight of the neck, diagnosed with physical examination. Total excision with local anesthesia was done, without previously biopsy of the tumor and other clinical investigations. Standard procedures for histology and immunohistochemical stains were done. Results: Tumor was well circumscribed, encapsulated measuring 5,5x4x4 cm. On section, the cut surface had a multinodular, whitish and firm appearance. On microscopic examination tumor was composed of alternating hypocellular and hypercellular areas separated from each other by thick bands of collagen and branching haemangiopericitoma like vessels. The tumor cells were round to spindle-shaped with little cytoplasm, indistinct borders, dispersed chromatin within vesicular nuclei. Area of myxoid change and subcapsular focus of hemorrhage was present, and 2 mitoses/10 HPF were found. Immunohistochemistry revealed diffuse positivity for CD34, Vimentin and BCL2, focal positivity for CD99, S100, SMA, and negativity for CKWS and EMA. Ki67 showed low proliferating index 3-5%. Conclusion: Although most cases of SFT are benign, there is no strict correlation between morphology and behavior, so patients with extrapleural solitary fibrous tumor have need of long-term post-resection follow-up. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal management of these neoplasms.

Blagjica Lazarova, Slobodan Rogach, Gjorgi Velkov, Elena Aleksoska, Gordana Petrusevska, Liljana Spasevska

01.04.2018.

Poster session

Splenic myoid angioendothelioma

Aim: To present three cases and review literature of splenic myoid angioendothelioma (SMA) focusing on immunohistochemical features. Introduction: SMAs are very rare, mainly in middle-aged and elderly patients of both sexes and are characterized by a mixed proliferation of cord capillaries and myoid cells, distinguished from other splenic angioendotheliomas by additional myogenic/myofibroblast differentiation. Material and Methods: Three cases of SMA from the Department of Histopathology Registry of Clinical Centre of Serbia were detected during last 12 years (2006-2017) in one male and two female patients (42,5 ys average age). Histomorphological findings were revised by reviewing all serial HE sections, histochemical trichrome stains and immunohistochemical stainings for CD8, CD31, CD34, CD68, SMA, desmin and Ki-67. Results: All cases showed sharply demarcated non-encapsulated solitary tumors with diameters 42, 55 and 20 mm. Histologically there are dense network of capillary blood vessels intermingled with polygonal myoid stromal cells and at least focally expressed non-homogeneous cellularity of stromal and lymphoid cells with focal sclerosis. Neocapillaries show distinctive CD8- / CD31 / CD34 immunophenotype (differing them from splenic hamartomas) and characteristic mixture with myogenic elements (differing them from cord capillary hemangiomas): intense SMA (3/3), rare focal desmin (2/3) and focal CD68 (1/3) immunoexpression. Conclusion: SMA is underrecognized type of vascular neoplasia, which has a clinico-pathological differential diagnostic significance because it radiologically imitates splenic metastase. Cellular form of SMA must be distinguished from hamartoma, but also from hemangiopericytoma and well-differentiated angiosarcoma of the spleen

Milena Ćosić Micev, Marjan Micev, Marko Andrejević, Maja Dimić Čumić, Aleksandra Dikić Rom, Slavko Matić, Nikica Grubor

01.12.2017.

Review Article

Pathohistological aspects of pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is a rare disease of unknown etiology, which most commonly affects men, smokers, aged from 20 to 40. It is diagnosed by histological analysis of material obtained by lung biopsy, with immunohistochemical proving of Langerhans cells. The aim of this research is to determine pathohistological characteristics of PLCH and analyzing demographic, clinical and radiological parameters. Retrospective analysis of medical data for 13 patients, proven for PLCH at Institute for Pulmonary diseases of Vojvodina in period of fifteen years. PLCH was found at 9 (69.3%) women and at 4 (30.7%) men, average age 34.7 years. Main clinical symptoms were cough (76.9%) and chest pain (61.5%). Out of 13 patients, 11 (84.6%) were smokers. In most cases PLCH histologically corresponded to the cellular phase of the disease (46.1%), proliferative phase was present at 5 (38.4%), and the fibrotic phase at 2 (15.5%) patients. Immunohistochemically, Langerhans’ cells were positive for presence of CD1a and S-100 antigens in all 13 of analyzed cases, while CD68 antigen was positive in 6 patients. In 6 patients (46.2%) there was disease regression, and at 7 (53.8%) patients the disease progressed despite the applied therapy. In our research, PHLC was more common in younger females, smokers with cough and chest pain. At most of the patients, histologically disease was in the cellular phase. Langerhans cells were positive to presence of CD1a and S100 antigens in all 13 patients. At more than half of the patients the disease progresses despite the applied therapy.

Mirjana Miladinović, Ljiljana Vučković, Tanja Lakić, Aleksandra Ilić, Aleksandra Lovrenski, Milana Panjković

01.04.2018.

Abstracts

News about the revised Bethesda system for thyroid cytopathology

The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC), which attempts to standardize reporting and cytological criteria for fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules and was first introduced in 2009, has been updated. Although much of the original TBSRTC remains the same, several “enhancements” have been introduced in the 2017 version based on new data and developments in the field. The 2017 revision reaffirms that every thyroid FNA report should begin with one of six diagnostic categories, the names of which remain unchanged since they were first introduced: nondiagnostic or unsatisfactory; benign; atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) or follicular lesion of undetermined significance (FLUS); follicular neoplasm or suspicious for a follicular neoplasm; suspicious for malignancy; and malignant. In the frst edition of TBSRTC, the implied risk of malignancy (MOP) for each diagnostic category was calculated and provided as a range based on a review of the literature at that time: 0–3% for benign, ~5–15% for atypia of undetermined signifcance (AUS) or follicular lesion of undetermined signifcance (FLUS), 15–30% for follicular neoplasm or suspicious for follicular neoplasm, 60–75% for suspicious for malignancy, and 97–99% for the malignant category. In the second edition, these ranges have been revised, especially for the so-called “indeterminate” categories, representing estimates calculated primarily from studies of large case cohorts and meta-analyses of ultrasound-guided thyroid FNA published after 2007. Notably, the new document reinterprets the previous version in one major way, and that is TBSRTC’s careful accommodation of the new noncancer category of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) tumors, which prior to April 2016 were categorized as thyroid cancer. NIFTP tumors have nuclear changes on cytologic evaluation that are identical to other forms of thyroid cancer, but on close long-term clinical follow-up they do not appear to recur or metastasize, and therefore, they do not behave clinically like thyroid cancer. NIFTP tumors typically fall into categories 3, 4, or 5, and can only be diagnosed as “not cancer” after a full surgical excision is performed and the entire tumor specimen is examined under a microscope. There have also been a number of other enhancements with the 2017 update: • The option of molecular testing in the standard management of AUS/FLUS and FN/SFN has been included. • The definition and diagnostic criteria for FN/SFN has been modified: cases demonstrating mild nuclear changes associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma are now included. The definition and diagnostic criteria for the papillary thyroid carcinoma subset of the malignant category now suggest limiting use to cases with “classical” features of papillary thyroid carcinoma. TBSRTC is now the most common classification worldwide for the reporting of thyroid FNA specimens. In view of this, ABSTRACTS 92 MATERIA MEDICA • Vol. 34 • Issue 1, suplement 1 • april 2018. new suggestions will be useful for various aspects of thyroid FNA including nomenclature, differential diagnosis, the potential impact of NIFTP on the indeterminate diagnostic categories, utility of molecular and IHC markers, and clinical management.

Panjkovic Milana

01.04.2018.

Abstracts

Fine needle aspiration cytology: current perspective and the role in diagnosis of the breast lesions

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer in the world among women and there are nearly 1.7 million new cases worldwide each year. Due to a number of remarkable advances made in both diagnosis and therapy, the survival rates for BC patients have increased in those regions with adequate medical facilities. According to contemporary recommendations, any pathological diagnosis of breast lesions, before any treatment, should be based on a Core Needle Biopsy (CNB), or on a Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC), if CNB is not available. The prognosis of the newly diagnosed breast cancer patient depends on a number of factors, among which the most important is the extent of the spread of the disease to the axillary lymph nodes. Because any further treatment is influenced by the presence and number of axillary lymph nodes involved, a complete evaluation of the axillary lymph nodes is performed on every patient that is able to tolerate it, after a formal diagnosis of invasive carcinoma. At the very least an ultrasound with guided fine needle aspiration or core biopsy of suspicious lymph nodes should be undertaken.Although CNB is the main method employed in breast lesions diagnostics, FNAC still plays a significant role in the evaluation of pathological processes in the breast, a fact that has been well documented in the relevant literature in the last 20 years. The advantages of FNAC are: the sampling is quicker; the sampling technique usually does not require the use of anaesthetics; the trauma is small, and therefore more convenient for women using anticoagulant therapy; complications are rare; the availability of the results is within a few hours; skilled operators and pathologists regard this method as being highly sensitive in the detection of any malignant cells and the equipment is less expensive. The United Kingdom National Health Service Breast Screening Program (UK NHSBSP), began in 1988. Its guidelines have been published with regards to the mode of categorizing cell changes that may be seen in cytological samples obtained by needle aspiration. Five categories have been identified: C1 (unsatisfactory specimen - non-representative), C2 (benign), C3 (atypical - most likely benign), C4 (suspected - most likely malignant) and C5 (malignant). In 1996, the American National Cancer Institute (NCI) also suggested 5 categories for cytological diagnostics of breast lesions: benign, atypical, suspected, malignant and unsatisfactory. Patients with C3 and C4 categories, namely, atypical and suspected, which carry the risk of a malignant tumour, need to undergo further examination. C1 and C2 categories have to be correlated with the results of clinical and radiological examinations. C3 and C4 categories should not be represented in more than 5% of all analyzed aspirates. Currently, there is no individual morphological criterion that cytological diagnostics of malignant breast tumours could be based on. The most important cytological criteria that indicate whether it is a benign pathological process or a malignant tumor are: cellularity of the sample (a very important criterion, but it should be carefully interpreted), loss of cell cohesiveness (characteristic of malignant tumors), cellular arrangements, cell size, biphasicity in smear, the characteristics of the nucleus (size, contour, the appearance of chromatin, the appearance of nucleolus), characteristics of cytoplasm, nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, APSTRAKTI 93 MATERIA MEDICA • Vol. 34 • Issue 1, suplement 1 • april 2018. mitotic figures, background appearance (necrosis, peripheral blood cells, mucus…) and the presence of inflammatory cells. It is also possible to perform immuno-histochemical staining on cytological samples, flow cytometry and molecular analyses. The FNAC treatment is characterised by solid sensitivity, specificity and predictive value. The sensitivity of FNAC ranges from 89% to 98% and the specificity is between 98% and 100%. Major shortcomings of this method are the impossibility of diagnosing in situ carcinoma and lesions followed by any abundant production of connective tissue. The CNB treatment has gained remarkable popularity since the 1980s and in many institutions has replaced FNAC. The limitations of both methods are; atypical ductal hyperplasia, fibroepithelial tumours, radial scarring and papillary lesions. In the diagnosis of breast lesions apart from aspiration cytology, other sampling techniques for cytological analysis are also applied. In the era of breast conservation therapy, breast tissue is most commonly sent for intraoperative consultation. A frozen section analysis is performed through freezing and sectioning the surgical specimen with subsequent staining, in order to obtain an extemporaneous assessment of the margins. Although this technique is extensively used by many surgeons to avoid the need for a postponed rescission, some pitfalls have been reported, such as the occurrence of artefacts due to the freezing and thawing of the adipose tissue in the specimen. A different intraoperative method for margins evaluation is imprint cytology, which consists of pressing each of the 6 faces of the specimen on 6 different slides, so that any malignant cell on any involved margin is theoretically present on the cytology of the respective slide, because of the tendency of tumour cells to adhere to glass as compared to adipocytes. Imprint cytology can also be used in assessing the representational value of the CNB samples. A significant number of authors suggest that the application of the imprint of cytology reduces the number of inadequate samples obtained by CNB and can also provide a preliminary diagnosis, especially in cases of adequately sampled malignant tumours. Nipple discharge (ND) accounts for approximately 5% of the breast-related symptoms and is the third most common reason women seek medical attention. Approximately 7% to 15% of unilateral NDs are caused by malignant lesions, primarily ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS). A cytological examination of the obtained content is significant in the final treatment decision. Cytological analysis, in particular FNAC, continues to play an important role in the diagnoses of breast cancer. Skilled professionals can determine breast cancer through an analysis of the cytological sample as a reliable and accurate method.

Ljiljana Vuckovic, Filip Vukmirovic, Mileta Golubovic

01.12.2017.

Review Article

Karcinom dojke u Pirotskom okrugu u periodu od 1998-2017 godine

Karcinom dojke je najčešća maligna neoplazmu u žena, čini oko 25% svih svih malignih bolesti i 15% svih smrtnih slučajeva, u ženskoj populaciji. Cilj našeg rada je ispitivanje učestalosti karcinoma dojke u pirotskom okrugu u periodu od 1998-2017 godine. Za ispitivanje smo koristili histopatološke izveštaje Službe za patologiju Opšte bolnice u Pirotu. Istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno 573 pacijenta operisana od karcinoma dojke u periodu od 1998-2017god. Analizirani su broj obolelih,vreme nastanka bolesti, starosno doba pacijenta u vreme dijagnoze, pol i histopatološki tip tumora. Za ispitivanje statističke značajnosti između grupa korišćen je Studentov t test. Karcinom dojke je verifikovan u 558 (97.38%) žena i u 15 muškaraca (2.62%). Prosečna starost žena sa karcinomom dojke u vreme dijagnoze je 62 god, a prosečna starost obolelih muškaraca je 64 godine Najveća učestalost karcinoma dojke zabeležena je u 2017 godini, pri čemu je zapažen statistički značajan porast broja obolelih od 2007 do 2017 godine. U radu se diskutuje o mogućim patogenetskim faktorima koji su uticali na signifikantan porast incidence karcinoma dojke u pirotskom okrugu.

Tomislav Jocić, Nina Jančić, Milena Vuletić

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